Monday, 4 July 2016

Midsummer

About fifteen or sixteen years ago, we had a Swedish friend living in Nottingham. She told us that Midsummer was celebrated by everyone in Scandinavia, so when Midsummer dawned bright and sunny, we decided to throw an impromptu party in her honour. It was one of those idyllic, perfect, spontaneous evenings where we brought a few people together who all hit it off, and we drank, ate and laughed into the early hours of the morning.

The original party. This was in my old house, which had a little wooden summerhouse at the bottom of the garden. Anna is wearing a traditional floral headdress she made. She made a matching one for me too.

Time passed and Anna left the UK, but every year wherever in the world she was, in memory of that evening, we sent a message to wish each other 'Happy Midsummer'.

A lot of the same people from the original party were able to make it again, which was so lovely.

A few weeks ago, she sent a message saying she thought she might come over for a few days to visit us for Midsummer. I said to her, 'Do you want to chill or party?' The message came straight back. 'I think...party!'

Gathering armfuls of wild flowers from the allotment to decorate the house for our Midsummer party

She arrived on the Thursday night, so we had a practice session, eating and drinking outside until it went dark.

The next day at brunch, Anna mentioned a great day out she remembered with us, her and our friend from Israel, so we decided to revisit Cromford Mills, built by Richard Arkwright, a pioneer in the Industrial revolution.

After a whirlwind trip, we whizzed home in my new car, which I've named Blanche Dubois, because although she looks beautiful, there's all sorts of problems under the surface.

Wearing a me-made sheet dress. That photo on the right needs to be snapped up by the local rag!

It was time to party! I have to confess, I never felt less like it, since it was the day after the referendum in the UK, but if you can't celebrate, at least you can drown your sorrows with friends.

Thankfully the almost incessant rain we had in June stopped for a day in order to allow us to sit outside. Phew. I was so busy plying people with food and drink that I forgot to take any photos. Fortunately Anna took one of me and my adorable friend, Varanya.

I've been wearing this dress a lot recently. It's a 1960s crimplene column dress with some snazzy diamante trim. I love the colour and the fact that it makes me look tall.

The next day we met up briefly with my little sis who was in Nottingham for the day, went into town, got home in time for our lovely friend Angela to visit and then went out for a meal and to the pub, where we were the last ones to leave.

By day 4, when we took Anna back to the station to get her train down to the airport, after three nights of partying, we were all pretty much broken. There was just enough energy for a quick group selfie.

14 comments:

What a lovely lovely post, it made me beam! I love that you re-created the party, AND midsummer, the best time of year because it's my birthday too haha! My mum always tells the story that when my dad was driving us home from the hospital, he said 'look they've lit the bonfires for Diana's arrival' - I was yet to get my nickname! In Ireland midsummer is huge, lots of leaping over bonfires goes on - maybe you could try that next year ;)Even if you didn't feel much like partying it was probably the best time to have one - at least you'll remember that above everything else. XXX

That sounds like a marvellous party! I've always thought our Scandinavian cousins were right to celebrate Midsummer and it's about time we celebrated it here. Hopefully, you'll set a new trend! You trendsetter, you!

I love your sheet dress and crimplene maxi - it would be great to be taller, so anything that gives that illusion is fine by me.

It's funny, in some of the photos your hair looks black and in some brown...

Hi TaniaI feel like I've been to the party myself now. Looks like you've had a great time together. Time for a little recharge now before the next event.We love meeting up with friends but love to get back to our home and lock the buggers out. Philip's words not mine. Actually that's the clean version haha.Have a great week Lynn xxx

How wonderful to meet up again with your friend. I read you not being in the mood for a party, but it looks like you had a great one in spite of the Brexit result. I'm loving that maxi you're wearing, the colour really suits you. Oh, and here's to hoping better weather (cannot be much worse, can it) ahead, so that we can truly celebrate summer! xxx

I do believe that you are a professional party-er. Anyone who has a practice party for the party is my kind of girl. But then, I already knew that you were my kind of girl. I love your lengthening maxi. It is very Mrs. Robinson, the hostess with the mostest. And it goes quite well with Blanche DuBois. Such a great name!! Mid sommer is a big deal where I grew up. Lots of bonfires, lots of booze consumed, lots of sunburns and hangovers. I am so happy that you are keeping this tradition and looking like a goddess all the while. Skal!!

What a lovely tradition to remember and celebrate especially as you are Titania, ,Queen of the Fairies . Anna looked like she had a wonderful stay; it was great to meet up with the two of you ( fleetingly) on my day in Nottingham .That new dress looks so glamorous on you xxxx

I contemplated a midsummer soirée the week before when I had eight days off work....but it pissed down every day, so that plan was hastily shelved...maybe next year? Glad the weather was good for you.... haven't you got a glamorous and exotic set of friends?? I bet you had a fab time, especially after a practise session! Sorry to hear your new motor is giving you trouble, but I love the name.xx

I love how the Swedes celebrate Midsummer, it pops up in so many Scandi films and novels - and there's usually a grisly murder or two along the way.What a fab party you had and three days? I doff my cap to you. that's good going.The sheet dress and the elongating maxi both look wonderful on you! You do look about 6 feet tall! xxx

What a gorgeous, gorgeous post! I do love that the Swedes celebrate Midsummer as they do...I usually have a fire but I think I should be more Scandi in my partying! Talking of partying, you do it so well...it all looks wonderful.Love your sheet dress and your purple number is knockout.xxxx

Pretty impressed with your sheet frock, looks perfect. Oh and you do look tall in the purple one, I need one that makes me slimmer, HA! How awesome having a mid summer party, we always talk about having a mid winter dinner here. Maybe I should flag that and go for a mid summer one when it comes back.